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Liquid penetrant testing

Revealing surface-breaking discontinuities on any non-porous material.

SR EN ISO 3452-1…6SR EN ISO 23277SR EN ISO 12706

How the method works

A coloured or fluorescent penetrant is applied to the cleaned surface and drawn into surface-breaking discontinuities by capillary action. After excess removal, a developer draws the trapped penetrant back out, forming a visible indication considerably wider than the actual defect.

What it detects

  • Surface-breaking cracks
  • Surface porosity and blowholes
  • Laps and laminations
  • Surface-breaking lack of fusion
  • Through-wall leaks in thin sections

Typical applications

  • Welded joints in austenitic stainless steel and aluminium
  • Castings and forgings in non-ferromagnetic materials
  • Pressure vessels and process piping
  • Verification after machining

Reference standards

  • SR EN ISO 3452-1…6
  • SR EN ISO 23277
  • SR EN ISO 12706

Equipment

  • Magnaflux penetrant system
  • SKC-S cleaner and remover
  • SKL-WP2 penetrant
  • SKD-S2 developer

A selection from the laboratory equipment.

Limitations

No method answers everything. We say up front where it stops, so we can pick the right technique for your job together.

  • Detects surface-breaking defects only — internal defects remain invisible
  • Not applicable to porous or highly absorbent materials
  • The surface must be thoroughly degreased; oil or paint blocks penetration
  • Penetration and development dwell times must be strictly observed to avoid false negatives